ORANGE LAKE, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Farmland Preservation Festival returned for its 17th year on April 12, hosted at Stirrups and Strides Therapeutic Riding Center. While the event featured live music, food trucks, a kids activity zone, crafts, and educational booths, the heart of the festival was clear: raising awareness about the importance of preserving Marion County’s rural land and rich agricultural heritage.
“We’ve been setting up here for about 16 years now,” said Cindy Johnson of Citra. “We became acquainted with people in the area doing similar things as us, and we’re out here to bring awareness to saving our farmland with all of the new developments and high rises. We’re teaching people about what they can do on their own little piece of property—to make food, to grow, and to have their pollinators and their plants. All the other vendors are trying to support this ecosystem.”
Vendors emphasized the economic and cultural importance of local farms and the threats posed by unchecked development.
“The farmers are taking their money and giving it to the lawyers who are representing the farmers, rather than putting it into their equipment, land taxes, seed and feed and everything else that goes along with it,” said John Johnson of Citra. “But it’s a necessary evil, and our donation to this preservation is very important to who we are, what we stand for and what we believe in.”
Save Our Rural Areas (SORA) continues to play an important role in preserving the area’s farmland area while warning of growing pressure from government overreach and legislation that could override local control.
“Our mission is helping to save our rural areas,” said SORA representative Jerome Feaster. “We can’t do it by ourselves. This is our 17th Farm Festival. The very first one was held in a church yard in 2006, in Shiloh, in the community that was being threatened by development at that time. The community stood up, objected to it and opposed it. The county denied the request.”
Feaster also voiced concern over proposed legislation, HB 1209 and SB 1118, which he said would undermine local authority in managing growth
“Our festival is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get,” said Feaster. “Development needs to be controlled. It needs to be controlled by the Marion County Commission and Marion County citizens, not Tallahassee.”
More news that matters to you…
-
District to hold hog hunts in 2026-2027 to manage feral hog population
The Southwest Florida Water Management District will hold a series of hog hunts during 2026-2027. Permits will be available online starting in early October 2026.
-
Ocala weighs $500,000 downtown retail and restaurant grant after storefront closures
Ocala would replace its $50,000 downtown commercial grant with awards of up to $150,000 for retail and restaurants, but the CRA Board still has to adopt the program before anyone can apply.
-
Rabies advisory issued by Department of Health in Marion County
The DOH-Marion issues a rabies advisory after a confirmed case of rabies in wildlife in the area near Rainbow Park on September 15, 2026.
-
4th Annual Ocala Film Derby showcases Marion County student filmmakers
The 4th Annual Ocala Film Derby brings Marion County student filmmakers together for five days of workshops, downtown production and career connections before their original short films premiere on the big screen at the Marion Theatre, where awards and a record-setting scholarship total will be revealed.
-
Marion County School Board to take up Wyomina Park-to-Oakcrest plan Tuesday
Marion County School Board member Nancy Thrower says the board will vote Tuesday on consolidating Wyomina Park Elementary with Oakcrest, the plan delayed in August after parents packed the meeting.